Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
U.S. Coast Guard suspends search for missing man after boat capsizes near Breezy Point
By
Phil Corso
Published Feb 24, 2025
Modified Feb 25, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Omar Zaghloul/Anadolu via Getty Images
By
Phil Corso
Published Feb 24, 2025
Modified Feb 25, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for a missing boater who was last seen after a vessel capsized Sunday near the entrance to the Ambrose Channel, near Breezy Point, officials said.
The missing person, identified as 52-year-old Vernon Glasford of the Bronx, was among six people aboard the boat when it overturned, officials said. Rescue teams recovered five people from the water, but Glasford remained missing. After searching for more than 30 hours and covering roughly 842 square miles, authorities called off the search around 6 p.m., the U.S. Coast Guard said.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of Vernon Glasford,” Capt. Jonathan Andrechik, the Coast Guard Sector New York commander, said in a statement. "The decision to suspend a search is always difficult. Though our active search has ended, our support and sympathy remain with all those impacted by this tragic incident."
The Coast Guard, along with the NYPD, FDNY, New Jersey State Police and Sandy Hook Pilots, launched the search effort following the incident, which occurred around 12:04 p.m. Sunday, authorities said. Crews aboard helicopters, small boats, cutters and planes scoured the waters, but Glasford was not found, according to officials.
The boat, reportedly a 30-foot Grady White, had departed from Howard Beach on a recreational fishing trip earlier that day, according to officials.
Three people were rescued by a Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook boat crew and taken to Monmouth Medical Center in New Jersey, the U.S. Coast Guard said. An Air Station Atlantic City helicopter crew recovered another person, while an NYPD aviation team rescued the fifth survivor. Both were taken to Staten Island University Hospital – North Campus, officials said.
Of the five recovered victims, four were unresponsive when pulled from the water, and at least three later died, officials said.
The cause of the capsizing remains under investigation.
The Ambrose Channel is a major shipping lane leading into the Port of New York and New Jersey. The water temperature at the time of the search was approximately 38 degrees, according to officials.
Tagged
new york city
public safety
Phil Corso
Phil Corso is the evening news editor at WNYC/Gothamist. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Retired NYPD detective charged with murder in George Washington Bridge shooting
Police say a Rockland County man was fatally shot during what appeared to be a road rage incident on Tuesday night.
By
Charles Lane
Published Oct 21, 2026 at 4:26 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 21, 2026 at 5:43 p.m. ET
NYPD officer faces disciplinary trial 10 years after killing Delrawn Small
Officer Wayne Isaacs will go on trial in January on a charge that he used improper force when he shot and killed Delrawn Small in East New York in July 2016.
By
Ben Feuerherd
News
NYPD officer faces disciplinary trial 10 years after killing Delrawn Small
Officer Wayne Isaacs will go on trial in January on a charge that he used improper force when he shot and killed Delrawn Small in East New York in July 2016.
By
Ben Feuerherd
NYC adult daycare operators charged with committing over $500K in Medicaid fraud
By
Caroline Lewis
Port Authority eyes $117M fix to Manhattan roadway where falling debris smashed cars
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Bronx couple starved their 3-year-old to death, indictment says
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .